STRENGTH IN JOY

“The LORD is my STRENGTH and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him” – Psalm 28:7

As we draw closer to the end of July, let’s ponder on the STRENGTH in JOY: “Do not sorrow, for the JOY of the LORD is your STRENGTH” (Neh.8:10b). Strength is central to the Christian’s Faith; hence Joy, which is a channel of strength, is equally vital. The Bible says a great deal about the Lord’s Strength. Here are some nuggets to meditate upon:

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the STRENGTH of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psa.27:1). Is God truly the Strength of your life or are you leaning on some other entities of lesser stature?

“The LORD is their STRENGTH, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed” (Psa.28:8). God wants you to be strong in Him and in the power of His might, not in any other being, not in any ideology, institution, position or possession.

“O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives STRENGTH and Power to His people. Blessed be God!” (Psa.68:35). If you sustain an attitude of gratitude and joy, you’ll never lack the Strength and Power from God.

“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases STRENGTH” (Isa.40:29). Do you perceive a dwindling of spiritual, mental or physical vigour, tune up the level of joyful praise and you’re guaranteed increased strength!

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My STRENGTH is made perfect in weakness,” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2Cor.12:9). Hand over your natural weakness to the Lord, and receive an exchange of His divine Strength in replacement!

“I can do all things through Christ who STRENGTHENS me” (Phil.4:13).

The pertinent question is: How is Strength derived through Joy? Simply, by tapping into the Power of Praise! Here are few of the manifestations of the Power of Praise:

Praise invites His presence. God dwells close to us when we praise Him.  He resides in our praises. He desires the atmosphere of joyful praise: “He inhabits the praises of His people”( Psa. 22:3). Believers are described uniquely: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). In turn, God’s Presence refreshes and renews our spirit: We're strengthened by His peace and refuelled by His joy.

Praise gets our focus off ourselves and back on God. He desires our eyes be set firmly on Him, because that's where our true hope is found. He is worthy of our praise, no matter what we face from daily: “Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!”  (Psa. 150:2).

Praise makes the enemy flee. Joyful praise pushes back the surrounding darkness and blocks the devil’s attacks. Evil will not stick around if we’re praising our God, who fights our battles for us.  In the story of Jehoshaphat, we see God miraculously defeat the enemy, because of the people’s obedience to praise Him: “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah; and they were defeated”  (2 Chr. 20:22). Through Joyful Praise, God releases and demonstrates His Strength over all invading forces against our lives!

We have a choice every day: to live absorbed in worry, focused only on what surrounds us, and tuned into the roar of the world. Or, we can ask God to help us take our eyes off all the problems, stress, and mess, and look up to Him who holds all things together, and who holds us in His hands. God longs for us to know the Power of His Presence and the Strength in Joy – all through life.